Thursday, 27 October 2011
New Experiences
Hello
It is hard to believe where the time has gone!!! I have now been here 10 days and the day of the wedding is fast approaching!!
One day last week I did the topless bus tour!! (sounds funny) The part of the tour I found most interesting was District 6! This is an area in the city which used to be occupied by coloured Muslims, black Xhosa residents and a smaller number of Afrikaans, whites and Indians. But during the apartheid era in 1970's people were forced into leaving the area and removed from their homes, it was declared a white's only area and housing was flattened. Today, much of this space remains undeveloped.
Ali's apartment is right beside Lion's head, a beautiful mountain which you will see in many of my pic's on Facebook. One afternoon we climbed it and enjoyed spectacular views from the top!!!! You will read later on what else I did on this mountain!!
I spent the weekend with Naomi Jones who I know from home. We had good fun at the Constantia market where I enjoyed some Sushi and beautiful wine tasting!!! I also got to meet some of her lovely friends and was at her church on the Sunday. We all watched the rugby final (NZ v. France) after the service and then Naomi took me for a lovely drive around the coast and a walk on the beach.
On the Monday then Ali picked me up, and we spent the most wonderful day together!!! We went to the Cape of Good Hope!!! It is the most southern point of south Africa! Here we found the most beautiful beach either of us had ever been to and yet it is probably the most dangerous beach due to the Rip Currents!! We did go swimming but we got some fantastic photos on the rocks and I managed to get soaked as the waves crashed into the rocks and up over me!!! I was very impressed with myself this day cos I spotted a WHALE!!!! It is end of season for whale spotting but this one was near the surface and every now and then would throw his tail up so I could get a picture of him!!! We also saw Zebra and baboon that day. Then, the most beautiful Atlantic coastal drive home EVER!!!! Ali had cycled this one time and I was in awe as it was quite a steep incline!
After getting my hair done the following morning, I went up to Lion's head and Jumped off!!!!
It was quite and experience! Don't worry I had a parachute and was attached to an instructor!!
I got some pretty amazing photos and some video footage of that! So that is another activity crossed off my bucket list.
The next day Ali and I went rock climbing in a quarry on table mountain! I was so impressed with Ali's skill! We both did a couple of climbs and then Ali did the last and most difficult one!!! She made it look so easy. I was really proud of my cousin!!!!
At night time there is a guy called Dollar who comes to the apartment block and sits outside! His job is to look after the cars! This guy is from the Congo and doesn't have a place to call home here in Cape Town. He is such a lovely man. I have been giving him supper in the evenings. He just loves his hot cup of coffee!!! It can be so cold here at night and African's feel the cold more than we do. I have enjoyed our chats and practising my French with him!!!
Cape Town is hard to describe to those who haven't been here. It is a really beautiful place and there is so much history behind it. I find it strange to think that I am in Africa at this point as Cape Town is not typical of the rest of Africa. It is one of the most multicultural cities in the world! It is almost like a little piece of the Caribbean in Africa, only not as warm!!!
While I am here people from the UK can phone me for 2p per minute! It would be lovely to hear from you. The number is 08447997777. Then follow the instructions and her landline number is 0027214347965
Look forward to hearing from you. Just remember the time difference. You are two hours behind us!!!
A Bientot!
It is hard to believe where the time has gone!!! I have now been here 10 days and the day of the wedding is fast approaching!!
One day last week I did the topless bus tour!! (sounds funny) The part of the tour I found most interesting was District 6! This is an area in the city which used to be occupied by coloured Muslims, black Xhosa residents and a smaller number of Afrikaans, whites and Indians. But during the apartheid era in 1970's people were forced into leaving the area and removed from their homes, it was declared a white's only area and housing was flattened. Today, much of this space remains undeveloped.
Ali's apartment is right beside Lion's head, a beautiful mountain which you will see in many of my pic's on Facebook. One afternoon we climbed it and enjoyed spectacular views from the top!!!! You will read later on what else I did on this mountain!!
I spent the weekend with Naomi Jones who I know from home. We had good fun at the Constantia market where I enjoyed some Sushi and beautiful wine tasting!!! I also got to meet some of her lovely friends and was at her church on the Sunday. We all watched the rugby final (NZ v. France) after the service and then Naomi took me for a lovely drive around the coast and a walk on the beach.
On the Monday then Ali picked me up, and we spent the most wonderful day together!!! We went to the Cape of Good Hope!!! It is the most southern point of south Africa! Here we found the most beautiful beach either of us had ever been to and yet it is probably the most dangerous beach due to the Rip Currents!! We did go swimming but we got some fantastic photos on the rocks and I managed to get soaked as the waves crashed into the rocks and up over me!!! I was very impressed with myself this day cos I spotted a WHALE!!!! It is end of season for whale spotting but this one was near the surface and every now and then would throw his tail up so I could get a picture of him!!! We also saw Zebra and baboon that day. Then, the most beautiful Atlantic coastal drive home EVER!!!! Ali had cycled this one time and I was in awe as it was quite a steep incline!
After getting my hair done the following morning, I went up to Lion's head and Jumped off!!!!
It was quite and experience! Don't worry I had a parachute and was attached to an instructor!!
I got some pretty amazing photos and some video footage of that! So that is another activity crossed off my bucket list.
The next day Ali and I went rock climbing in a quarry on table mountain! I was so impressed with Ali's skill! We both did a couple of climbs and then Ali did the last and most difficult one!!! She made it look so easy. I was really proud of my cousin!!!!
At night time there is a guy called Dollar who comes to the apartment block and sits outside! His job is to look after the cars! This guy is from the Congo and doesn't have a place to call home here in Cape Town. He is such a lovely man. I have been giving him supper in the evenings. He just loves his hot cup of coffee!!! It can be so cold here at night and African's feel the cold more than we do. I have enjoyed our chats and practising my French with him!!!
Cape Town is hard to describe to those who haven't been here. It is a really beautiful place and there is so much history behind it. I find it strange to think that I am in Africa at this point as Cape Town is not typical of the rest of Africa. It is one of the most multicultural cities in the world! It is almost like a little piece of the Caribbean in Africa, only not as warm!!!
While I am here people from the UK can phone me for 2p per minute! It would be lovely to hear from you. The number is 08447997777. Then follow the instructions and her landline number is 0027214347965
Look forward to hearing from you. Just remember the time difference. You are two hours behind us!!!
A Bientot!
Wednesday, 19 October 2011
Cape Town
Everyone to date told me how beautiful Cape Town is but truly, it IS STUNNING!!!!!
I arrived on Monday morning. My cousin Ali has been spoiling me. First thing she did was take me for a drive to a beautiful hotel where we had cocktails and nibbles on the veranda of a very exclusive hotel!
Then it was back to the apartment and Naomi Jones came for tea. We had a great evening with her and look forward to seeing more of her over the course of my three weeks here!!!!!
On Tuesday, we went shopping for my bridesmaid dress. We found a really lovely dress and the perfect shoes!! So we bought them both!!!
I plan to so some volunteering while I am here which you will hear more about next week!! Ali has also kindly bought me an introductory scuba diving lesson which I am really looking forward to! I also hope to paraglide off The Lion's Head!!!!!
I am very excited about Mum coming over for the wedding and I know she will just love this place!!!
You will hear more from me next week. In the meantime you can check out my photos on Facebook!!!!!!!!!!
Bye for now
Jane
I arrived on Monday morning. My cousin Ali has been spoiling me. First thing she did was take me for a drive to a beautiful hotel where we had cocktails and nibbles on the veranda of a very exclusive hotel!
Then it was back to the apartment and Naomi Jones came for tea. We had a great evening with her and look forward to seeing more of her over the course of my three weeks here!!!!!
On Tuesday, we went shopping for my bridesmaid dress. We found a really lovely dress and the perfect shoes!! So we bought them both!!!
I plan to so some volunteering while I am here which you will hear more about next week!! Ali has also kindly bought me an introductory scuba diving lesson which I am really looking forward to! I also hope to paraglide off The Lion's Head!!!!!
I am very excited about Mum coming over for the wedding and I know she will just love this place!!!
You will hear more from me next week. In the meantime you can check out my photos on Facebook!!!!!!!!!!
Bye for now
Jane
Saturday, 15 October 2011
Jambo, Karibu TIA-This is Africa
Welcome!!!
Well what a week it has been. I had the priviledge of travelling to Mombasa on the coast and thank God for a safe journey! When I got there, it began to rain!! After everybody telling me, the coast is so so hot, you will be roasted!! Quite the opposite, I was cold!!! Anyhow the sun managed to come out for one day and I got swimming in the Indian Ocean. The water was beautiful and warm and the waves were awesome. I wore factor 50 sun proetection and still managed to get burned!! Obviously my fragile skin has not yet adapted to the African sun!!
On my way back from Mombasa, the bus stopped (in the middle of rural Kenya) for a toilet break, after all it is a 9 hour journey!!!! I saw a white couple sitting at a table. Usually I avoid people who I think are tourists but this pair had faces which said talk to me! So I did and boy was a I glad. They are John and Kimberley from Michigan. But three years ago they sold everything they owned and moved to Kenya to preach the gospel and reach a generation. They are here for the long haul. they have been here three years so far and it has taken this long to finally get a lease on a small plot of land so that they can build a home for themselves. I really enjoyed meeting them and they also knew a woman who is a nurse from Ireland and has been living and working here since 1978. they gave me her contact details as she sounds like a pretty amazing lady too!
Back to Naiorbi (very Briefly) before I headed up to Kijabe!!! Kijabe is a huge mission station about an hour's drive from the city. They have an international school with 500 pupils, a bible college and of course a HOSPITAL!! Again I met some fascinating people and got to see plenty. The hospital is a great neurosurgical centre and even has in ICU!!!! The lovely Elaine Getty was the perfect hostess and even through me a little surprise birthday party!!! I really enjoyed meeting her girls over dinner and hearing what life was like for them at school in Kenya!
Back to Nairobi again to greet Mama and Papa Mwalwa (my Kenyan family)!!!! They were glad to see me back and found it amusing that I was never at home. Now they can relate to Mama and Papa Lindsay!!!!!!
Next, to meet my friend Doug!!! Doug is a Ugandan who was called to work in Kenya some years ago and does an amazing work with slum families. After a bite to eat, he took me to visit some of his friends. We first met Kingsan, a 23 year old boy who turned away from a life of stealing and doing drugs to follow God. He entertained me in his home and shared his testimony with me. His home is a 12feet sq room in the middle of Mukuru slum. Kingsan makes his own shoes and sells them to put food in his mouth. He is very involved in the church and his ministry is dance!!! There was not sufficient space but had there been, I am sure we could have danced a little!! He has such a heart for God and I admired his zest for life. He asked me if Ireland was like Kenya so I tried to explain a bit about our country. Then we met Kim, another outstanding young man who works hard for a living and has a beautiful voice. He sang for me in Swahili acapella as he did not have his guitar with him but promised me another rendition next time!!
From there we walked through the slum to visit Dolphin. Our sister Dolphin is a beautiful young girl who has been sponsored to go to school. She has been saved from a life of abuse and has been given the opportunity to attend school where she proves to be a very diligent student. She loves football and plays on a team. She supports Man U but i didnt hold that against her!!!! We spoke to her principal to find out how she is getting on. It was a wonderful priviledge to pray with her right there and then before she got back to sitting her mid-term exams! I really feel compelled to help these children and I want to see many more girls like Dolphin get an education. I realise now that is one thing in my life that I took for granted. I enjoyed school but never realised how blessed I was to be able to go!!!!
After sitting in traffic for three hours with papa and picking Sanzu and Ndinda up from the school, we returned home for a few minutes before setting off to Rhoda's (mama's sister) house for dinner. By this stage it was 9pm and we set off on a 10k journey which should normally take 30mins at the most. Two hours later due to traffic, we arrived, all a bit tired after such a long day. By this time it was 11pm and we were tired but rather hungry!! Papa quite rightly made a good point. "It would have been cheaper and easier to stay at home to eat but this is Africa and people are important!!" So if someone invites you for dinner, they dont mind that you are so late, they appreciate that you made the journey and are pleased that they can entertain you. What a wonderful way to live!!! Only in Africa!
I am coming to the end of my time in Kenya now but I thank God for my time here and for the hospitality and generosity of my Kenyan family!!
Kwaheri ya kuonana
Janey
Well what a week it has been. I had the priviledge of travelling to Mombasa on the coast and thank God for a safe journey! When I got there, it began to rain!! After everybody telling me, the coast is so so hot, you will be roasted!! Quite the opposite, I was cold!!! Anyhow the sun managed to come out for one day and I got swimming in the Indian Ocean. The water was beautiful and warm and the waves were awesome. I wore factor 50 sun proetection and still managed to get burned!! Obviously my fragile skin has not yet adapted to the African sun!!
On my way back from Mombasa, the bus stopped (in the middle of rural Kenya) for a toilet break, after all it is a 9 hour journey!!!! I saw a white couple sitting at a table. Usually I avoid people who I think are tourists but this pair had faces which said talk to me! So I did and boy was a I glad. They are John and Kimberley from Michigan. But three years ago they sold everything they owned and moved to Kenya to preach the gospel and reach a generation. They are here for the long haul. they have been here three years so far and it has taken this long to finally get a lease on a small plot of land so that they can build a home for themselves. I really enjoyed meeting them and they also knew a woman who is a nurse from Ireland and has been living and working here since 1978. they gave me her contact details as she sounds like a pretty amazing lady too!
Back to Naiorbi (very Briefly) before I headed up to Kijabe!!! Kijabe is a huge mission station about an hour's drive from the city. They have an international school with 500 pupils, a bible college and of course a HOSPITAL!! Again I met some fascinating people and got to see plenty. The hospital is a great neurosurgical centre and even has in ICU!!!! The lovely Elaine Getty was the perfect hostess and even through me a little surprise birthday party!!! I really enjoyed meeting her girls over dinner and hearing what life was like for them at school in Kenya!
Back to Nairobi again to greet Mama and Papa Mwalwa (my Kenyan family)!!!! They were glad to see me back and found it amusing that I was never at home. Now they can relate to Mama and Papa Lindsay!!!!!!
Next, to meet my friend Doug!!! Doug is a Ugandan who was called to work in Kenya some years ago and does an amazing work with slum families. After a bite to eat, he took me to visit some of his friends. We first met Kingsan, a 23 year old boy who turned away from a life of stealing and doing drugs to follow God. He entertained me in his home and shared his testimony with me. His home is a 12feet sq room in the middle of Mukuru slum. Kingsan makes his own shoes and sells them to put food in his mouth. He is very involved in the church and his ministry is dance!!! There was not sufficient space but had there been, I am sure we could have danced a little!! He has such a heart for God and I admired his zest for life. He asked me if Ireland was like Kenya so I tried to explain a bit about our country. Then we met Kim, another outstanding young man who works hard for a living and has a beautiful voice. He sang for me in Swahili acapella as he did not have his guitar with him but promised me another rendition next time!!
From there we walked through the slum to visit Dolphin. Our sister Dolphin is a beautiful young girl who has been sponsored to go to school. She has been saved from a life of abuse and has been given the opportunity to attend school where she proves to be a very diligent student. She loves football and plays on a team. She supports Man U but i didnt hold that against her!!!! We spoke to her principal to find out how she is getting on. It was a wonderful priviledge to pray with her right there and then before she got back to sitting her mid-term exams! I really feel compelled to help these children and I want to see many more girls like Dolphin get an education. I realise now that is one thing in my life that I took for granted. I enjoyed school but never realised how blessed I was to be able to go!!!!
After sitting in traffic for three hours with papa and picking Sanzu and Ndinda up from the school, we returned home for a few minutes before setting off to Rhoda's (mama's sister) house for dinner. By this stage it was 9pm and we set off on a 10k journey which should normally take 30mins at the most. Two hours later due to traffic, we arrived, all a bit tired after such a long day. By this time it was 11pm and we were tired but rather hungry!! Papa quite rightly made a good point. "It would have been cheaper and easier to stay at home to eat but this is Africa and people are important!!" So if someone invites you for dinner, they dont mind that you are so late, they appreciate that you made the journey and are pleased that they can entertain you. What a wonderful way to live!!! Only in Africa!
I am coming to the end of my time in Kenya now but I thank God for my time here and for the hospitality and generosity of my Kenyan family!!
Kwaheri ya kuonana
Janey
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Arrived in Kenya
Arrived safely in Kenya. I will write more soon when I have more to say.
I am surprised to find it not very hot, in fact I find myself rather cold in the evenings!
Yesterday I spent the day in a school, at the Mukuru slum in Nairobi. These kids are underpriviledged and only because of the vision God gave a young man called Kim, hundreds of kids can go to school to learn who would otherwise be forced into child labor. I spent most of the day in the pre-school class helping the kids write out numbers and teaching them to count! Then I spent sometime with the more senior class who were learning about issues that were all too real to most of these Kenyan children. They were discussing child abuse, child labor, drug abuse and issues about self-esteem and and self-respect. I got to show them on the world map where I came from and their eyes widened in amazement at the distance I have travelled. I decided not to tell them about the rest of my trip round the world as I fear they not have been able to comprehend it.
All day yesterday people asked me when I am returning home.......not for a long time I said.......
I am surprised to find it not very hot, in fact I find myself rather cold in the evenings!
Yesterday I spent the day in a school, at the Mukuru slum in Nairobi. These kids are underpriviledged and only because of the vision God gave a young man called Kim, hundreds of kids can go to school to learn who would otherwise be forced into child labor. I spent most of the day in the pre-school class helping the kids write out numbers and teaching them to count! Then I spent sometime with the more senior class who were learning about issues that were all too real to most of these Kenyan children. They were discussing child abuse, child labor, drug abuse and issues about self-esteem and and self-respect. I got to show them on the world map where I came from and their eyes widened in amazement at the distance I have travelled. I decided not to tell them about the rest of my trip round the world as I fear they not have been able to comprehend it.
All day yesterday people asked me when I am returning home.......not for a long time I said.......
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